>> BILLS THAT COULD SIGNIFICANTLY ALTER THE OKLAHOMA'S STATE INCOME TAX SURVIVE DEADLINE WEEK IN THE CAPITOLMENT OKLAHOMANS ARE BEING OVERTAXED.

>> AND THE LEGISLATURE TAKES ACTION TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF THIRSTY RED CEDAR TREES IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WATER IS SO SCARS AND SO PROESHS ESPECIALLY IN THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE STATE AND OKLAHOMA CITY WE HAVE TO PRESERVE THAT WATER.

>> A PANDEMIC RELATED BOOST FOR FOOD SNAP BENEFITS ENDS FOR OKLAHOMANS OKLAHOMANS.

>> IF YOU HAD A BIG FAMILY AND FINANCIAL CHALLENGES, IT COULD BE A THOUSAND A MONTH.

>> AN INDEPTH DISCUSSION OF BANK FAILURES REACHING OKLAHOMA.

>> EVERYBODY SEES THE HEAD LINE NEWS AND ALL THAT BUT OKLAHOMA BANKS ARE VERY STRONG AND CAPITALIZED AND CONSERVATIVELY RUN.

>> PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS WORK TO IMPROVE READING LITERACY IN OKLAHOMA.

>> EVERYONE NEEDS SOME ASPECT OF THIS STYLE OF TEACHING OR INTRODUCE LITERACY TO YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE SO MANY CHILDREN ARE FALLING BEHIND.

>> THOSE STORY AND A CHILLY DAY FOR CHILI FOR A GOOD CAUSE NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

HELLO EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

I AM RICH LENZ.

THE DEADLINE HAS COME AND GONE FOR ANY AND ALL LEGISLATION TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE HOUSE OF ORIGIN DURING THE FIRST SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT MEANS IT IS A BUSY WEEK FOR LAWMAKER AND JASON DOYLE WHO JOINS US WITH MORE ON THE TAX MAN AND PLAN.

>> Reporter: INDEED IT IS A BUSY WEEK FOR LEGISLATOR AND WHO HAVE CONSIDERING ALL KINDS OF BILLS.

HOUSE BILL 1954 AND REVENUE AND TAXATION.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN MCCALL IS TRYING TO THE CUT THE INCOME TAX.

>> I AM LOOKING TO FLATTEN THE TAX IN STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND CUT IT TEMPORARILY BY A HALF OF ONE PERCENT.

>> CURRENTLY THE OKLAHOMA INCOME TAX IS 5.55 AND THE MEASURE RAISED CONCERNS BY HOUSE DEMOCRATS WHEN THE BILL HIT THE FLOOR ON THE EVENING.

>> HOW MUCH MONEY WOULD THAT AMOUNT TO.

>> THE FIST CAM IMPACTS SHOWS 2023 NOTHING.

2024182202025, 464.8 MONEY.

LESS MONEY THAN WE HAVE TO OCEAN.

>> HOUSE FLOOR LEADER JONEC COLS IS REREFERRING TO PROJECT OCEAN.

THE SEN HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR PACKAGE THAT FAILED TO ATTRACT PANNA SON AND I CAN OKLAHOMA.

WHILE INCENTIVE PACKAGES DO LAND NEW EMPLOYERS.

McCAWL CONTENDS MAKING SURE OUR TAX RATES ARE ATTRACTIVE TO LONG RANGE PLAN AND LAWMAKER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROTUNDA ARE LOOKING AT TAX REFORM MEASURES.

>> WE LOOK AT THE NAN PARTISAN GROUPS THAT STUDY AND LOOK AT EACH STATE'S TAX STRUCTURE AND WE ARE NUMBER 23 IN THE COUNTRY CURRENTLY.

IN OUR REGION WE ARE ONLY AHEAD OF KANSAS AND ARKANSAS BY JUST A LITTLE BIT.

1 OR 2 POSITIONS.

>> WHILE REPUBLICANS ARE LOOKING AT SEVERAL MEASURES TO REFORM ALL KINDS OF TAXES, DEMOCRATS ARE CONCERNED THAT TAX CUTS WILL NARROW REVENUES AT A TIME WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS INCREASING SPENDING ON THINGS LIKE EDUCATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> JUST SIX YEARS AGO, THE STATE WAS IN A 1.5 BILLION REVENUE FAILURE DUE TO FAILED TRICKLE DOWN ECONOMICS.

TEACHERS WERE LAID-OFF AND I HAPPENED TO BE ONE OF THEM.

THAT'S WHY I RAN FOR OFFICE.

I RAN TO MAKE SURE THAT FUTURE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WOULDN'T HAVE TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNSOUND TAX POLICY IN THIS BUILDING.

>> REPUBLICANS POINT TO SAVINGS WHICH HAVE BEEN BUILT UP SINCE THE LAST MAJOR REVENUE DOWN TURN.

>> WE HAVE FOUR BILL -- 4 BILLION IN SAVINGS.

OKLAHOMANS ARE BEING OVERTAXED.

GOVERNMENT IS MAKING A PROFIT.

WE NEED TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION ALIVE.

>> MCCALL'S TAX CUT PLAN IS NOT THE ONLY ONE TO ISSUE PASSED BY THE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

COMPL A LOT OF PEOPLE CALL IT FLAT TAX RATE.

IT IS A FOUR AND HALF PERCENT.

IT CARES FOR THE LOWER INCOMES AND ELIMINATE ALL OF THE BRACKETS THAT ARE ON THE LOWEREN OF OUR TAX SCALE.

THE MARRIAGE.. >> HOUSE BILL 2285 CONTAINS A TRIGGERS THAT WILL FURTHER LOWER THE INCOME TAX RATE.

>> A SERIES OF TRIGGERS FOR FUTURE QUARTER PERCENT TAX CUTS.

IF THEY CAME IN OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

WE WOULD END UP WITH A 2.75 SINGLE RATE FOR PERSONAL INCOME TAX.

>> IT IS LIKE THE ONE APPROVED IN 2014 WHICH HAD A SET OF TRIGGERS LOWERING THE INCOME TAX RATE.

BUT THE TAX BILL TAKES A CAUTIOUS APPROACH MAKING SURE FOLLOWED BY A SMALL UPTICK WHILE THE STATE IS RECOVERING DOESN'T CAUSE ANOTHER ISSUE.

>> IT'S BASED ON REVENUE THRESHOLD.

EVERY TIME YOU TRIGGER A TAX CUT, YOU RAISE THE THRESHOLD.

WE DON'T HAVE WHAT WE HAD YEARS AGO WHEN AFTER A BIG ECONOMIC DOWN TURN, A SLIGHT GROWTH TRIGGERED A TAX CUT.

>> AND THE PASSAGE OF LEPAK'S BILL AND SETS THE STAGE OF WHAT KIND OF TAX CUTS AND REFORMS THE LEGISLATURE WILLEN UP SENDING TO GOVERNOR STITT.

IN FACT, BILLS DEALING WITH SEVERAL FACETS OF STATE REV NIGHS ARE BEING CONSIDERED.

WE ARE LOOKING AT ELIMINATING THE FRANCHISE TAX AND MARRIAGE APPELLANT E PERSONALITY AND ELIMINATING THE THROW BACK RULE IN THE BUSINESS SECTOR.

IF WE WERE TO ADVANCE A PACKAGE OF THESE FIVE BILLS, WE WOULD NOT ONLY HELP THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA WITH INFLATION RELIEF, WE COULD MOVE OURSELVES IN THE TOP TEN OVERALL IN THE COUNTRY AND OUR TAX STRUCTURE.

>> THAT LEADS TO ANOTHER POPULAR TAX CUT IDEA WHICH HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS BUT HAVEN'T CROSSED THE FINISH OF THE CAPITOL.

>> IT IS THE SUSPENSION OF STATE PORTION OF SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

>> THE HOUSE HAS A VERSION OF THE GROCERY TAX THAT EXTENS THE MORATORIUM FOR TWO YEARS ON THE STATE'S PORTION.

>> HOUSE BILL 1955 DOES NOT TOUCH THE TAXES ON GROCERIES LEVIED BY CITIES AND COUNTIES.

>> IT WOULD HAVE A TIME LIMIT AS WELL.

>> IT WOULD GIVE A RELIEF TO THE PEOPLE OF STATE OF OKLAHOMA FOR TWO YEAR PERIOD.

AT THAT TIME THE LEGISLATURE COULD DETERMINE WHETHER TO EXTEND OR DO AWAY WITH IT.

>> THE HOUSE GROCERY TAX CUT ONE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> AND THE SENATE HAS BEEN WORKING ON ITS OWN SLATE OF THE TAX PROPOSALS THAT WILL SOON COME TO THE HOUSE.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE SENATE AND WITH THE GOVERNOR, HOPEFULLY I EXPECT THAT WE WILL LAND ON, ONE OF THOSE PLANS.

>> RIGHT BEFORE THE DEADLINE ON THURSDAY, THE HOUSE DID PASS SPEAKER MCCALL'S FLAT TAX BILL THAT DOES NOT HAVE A SENATE AUTHOR YET AND SO THE FUTURE IS STILL UNCLEAR.

RICH?

>> JASON, THANK YOU.

THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT RULED FIE UF FIVE- WEEK, THAT THE STATE CONSTITUTION GUARANTEES THE RIGHT TO ABORTION IN THE INSTANCES WHEN THE MOTHER'S LIFE IS IN DANGER.

THAT RULING COULD HAVE A LIMITED IMPACT ON CURRENT AND PEPPING LEGISLATION.

OTHER BILLS THAT REMAIN ALIVE IS REDUCING THE PENALTY FOR COCKFIGHTING FROM A FELONY TO A MISDEMEANOR.

DREW EDMONDON, SAID IT SHOULD BE RABBLED CRIMINAL ENHANCEMENT REFORM.

ON THE EDUCATION FRONT SENATE BILL 363 PASSED PROVIDING EIGHT WEEKS OF PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR TEACHERS.

THE BILL SPONSORED BY ADAM PUGH OF EDMOND TO PROVIDE TEACHER PAY RAISES FROM 3 TO $6,000.

>> WE HAVE SEEN PROTECTED LEAVE FOR ALL SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND I THINK THAT IS A POSITIVE STEP.

WE'VE ALSO SEEN ADJUSTMENT TO THE SALARY SCHEDULE THAT COULD BE A 6000 SALARY INCREASE FOR VETERAN TEACHERS.

THE HOUSE HAS ROLLED TOGETHER TAX CREDITS AND VOUCHER PLAIN TIDE TO TEACHER PAY INCREASE.

THAT IS FALLING BELOW WHAT THE SENATE IS PROPOSING AND WHAT PASSED OUT ON THE SENATE CHAMBER.

WHAT WE SEE WILL ADVANCE OUT OF COMMITTEE AND CONTINUE TO MOVE THROUGH THE PROCESS >> ONE OTHER NOTE ON EDUCATION.

THE BILL THAT WOULD BAN THE USE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES HAS PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE.

RED CEDAR TREES LOOK NICE AND MAKE GREAT FURNITURE BUT THE CONIFER TREE IS IMPACTING OKLAHOMA WATERSHED.

NOW THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE IS TAKING ACTION TO GET THE PROBLEM UNDER CONTROL.

STEVE SHAW IS BACK FROM LEEDEY, OKLAHOMA WITH MORE.

>> RICH, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE LAST WEEK PASSED LEGISLATION.

IF THE SENATE APPROVES IT AND THE GOVERNOR SIGNS IT WOULD SET IN MOTION A WATER CONSERVATION EFFORT THAT FOR THIS STATE WOULD BE HISTORIC.

>> THERE IS A PROBLEM DOWN THERE.

THEY ARE CONSUMING A LOT OF WATER.

THAT IS PROBABLY YOUR SEAT.

>> JIMMY EMONES PATROLS A 7000 ACRE FARM.

IT HAS BEEN IN HIS FAMILY FOR 100 YEARS.

>> LAST SUMMER, WE WORKED ON THIS PASTURE HERE AND WE CUT AND STACKED THESE IN PILES.

THERE IS A COMPANY OUT OF STILLWATER THAT WILL GRIND THEM IN PILES.

>> ONE OF THEIR MISSIONS IN LIFE FOR THE LAST DECADE OR SO TO RID THEIR LAND OF AS MANY EASTERN RED CEDAR TREES AS THEY CAN.

EASTERN RED CEDAR IS A FORM OF TREE, CEDAR TREES THAT IS NATIVE TO OKLAHOMA, BUT WAS REALLY BROUGHT IN AND ENHANCED IN THE '30'S AND THE '50'S DUE TO WIND EROSION AND THEY WERE PLANTED IN SHELTER BELTS BY THE GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WIND EROSION AND THEY WERE GREAT.

THEY ARE GREAT WIND BREAKS.

THEY ARE KIND OF PRETTY TO LOOK AT TIMES.

PEOPLE CALL THEM CHRISTMAS TREES.

BUT THEY DIDN'T REALIZE, UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT WE HAVE, HAVE PROLIFIC THEY CAN BE.

>> EMONS SAID RED CEDAR TREES ARE SUCKING THE LIFE OFF OF HIS LAND.

THEY CAUSE EROSION AND ROB NUTRIENTS FROM THE LAND AND RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CEDAR TREE EAT, AND CONSUME 5 TO 30 GALLONS WAS WATER EVERY DAY.

THE SOUTH CANADIAN RIVER THAT RUNS SOUTH OF NORMAN AND TUTLE, BASICALLY STARTS UP HERE.

>> CAMDEN LAKE WAS IN THE HEAD OF THE NORTH CANADIAN RIVER IS 35 MILES AWAY.

>> YOU HAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE TREES GROWING IN A WATERSHED OR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS GROWING EVERY DAY THEY ARE CONSUMING HUGE AMOUNTS OF WATER.

>> WE STUDIED IT TO DEATH.

BUT WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING.

>> OKLAHOMA WATER CONVISION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TREY LAMB SAID RED CEDAR TREES ARE A RUN AWAY TRAIN.

>> WE KNOW THEY ARE GROWING RAPIDLY.

WE HAVE 15 MILLION ACRES IN OKLAHOMA INFESTED WITH RED CEDAR.

THAT IS TWICE AS MANY ACRES AS HARVEST CROPS.

>> THE SATELLITE MAP SHOWS HOW THE CEDAR INFESTATION ABOUTINGED IN THE LOWER MIDWEST 200202018.

>> THEY ARE GROWING AT A RATE OF 300000 ACRE A YEAR OF INFESTATION.

THAT IS A HALF BILLION DOLLAR IMPACT ON THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA FROM THE LOSS OF RANGE LAND AND FORAGE FOR CATTLE.

LOSS OF INCOME FROM WILD LIFE, LOSS OF WATER RESOURCES.

LOSS OF RECREATION.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS ADD UP.

SO THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC IMPACT.

IF IT GROWS LIKE THAT, IT WILL GET COMPLETELY AWAY FROM US.

>>EMMONS SAID THE CEDAR TREES AND TRIED UP ENTIRE BODIES OF WATER INCLUDING A SMALL LAKE THAT HE AND HIS GRANDFATHER USED TO FISH ON.

>> YOU CAN TELL IT IS 20 SOMETHING DEEP WHEN IT IS FULL OF WATER.

IT HASN'T HAD WATER IN 10-15 YEARS.

>> FIVE YEARS AGO, A WILDFIRES OF HISTORIC PORPORTIONS BURNED 437,00 ACRE.

70 STRUCTURES INCLUDING HOMES WERE LOST.

>> THAT WILDFIRES WAS FUELLED BY THE EASTERN RED CEDAR.

THEY HAVE OIL BASE SAP IN THEM.

AND SO WHEN THEY CATCH ON FIRE.

THEY LITERALLY EXPLODE AND GET THOUSANDS OF DEGREES.

IT IS A FIRE YOU CAN'T CONTROL AND YOU CANNOT STOP ON A DAY WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING 30, 40 OR 50 MILES PER HOUR.

>> HE AND OTHER FARMER AND RANCHERS IN THE AREA AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARE STILL TODAY RENTING SKID STEERS TO CLEAR LAND OF BURNED CEDAR TREES.

IT COST WELL NORTH OF $200 AN HOUR.

THIS IS NOT JUST A WEST OR NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA PROBLEM.

THE NORTH CANADIAN RIVER THAT BEGINS IN CANTON LAKE IS THE BIGGEST SOURCE OF WATER FOR THE LARGEST METROPOLITAN AREA IN OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> IT IS HARD TO PUT A PRICE TAG ON WATER.

>> STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE DEBRINGSKI AUTHORED THE BILL THAT PASSED THE HOUSE.

IT WOULD PROVIDE MONEY FOR A MASSIVE STUDY AREA UNIVERSITIES WOULD HELP WITH AND MEASURE THE AMOUNT OF WATER AND CLEARING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF CEDAR TREES WOULD PROVIDE.

>> ADDRESSING THESE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

THE WATER AND GRASS WILL RETURN.

IT IS A ECOLOGICAL BALANCE WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US.

IT IS NOT UNIQUE TO THE NORTH CANADIAN WATERSHED.

IT IS A PROBLEM THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ADDRESS STATEWIDE AND TAKE A LOT OF MONEY AND A LONG- TERM COMMITMENT TO DOING THAT.

WE CAN'T ASK PEOPLE TO SUPPORT IT OR TO HELP FUND IT AND BE OKAY WITH A COMMITMENT THAT IS GOING TO TAKE UNTIL WE SHOW THEM PROOF.

I THINK WHAT YOU'VE SEEN AND THE STUDIES THAT WE HAVE AND THE RESEARCH FROM 30 YEARS AGO, WE CAN'T KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

>> WATER IS SCARS AND PRECIOUS AND WESTERN SIDE OF THE STATE AND OKLAHOMA CITY.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO PRESERVE THE WATER.

>> THE PROJECT THAT WE ARE WORKING ON, IT IS GOING TO SHOW IF WE CAN MANAGE THE CEDAR TREES AND THE LAKE AND WATERSHED CAN PROVIDE MORE WATER TO OKLAHOMA CITY IN WE GET THE PROJECT DONE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DOBRINGKSI SAID THE LEGISLATION COULD BE ON THE GOVERNOR DESK IN LESS THAN A MONTH.

>> A NEW REPORT FOUND THAT 186 BANKS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE CURRENTLY AT RISK OF FAILURE DUE TO RISING INTEREST RATES AND UNINSURED DOCHTS.

TWO BANKS HAVE GONE UNDER.

HOW STRONG ARE THE OKLAHOMA BANK AND HOW CONCERNED SHOULD WE BE?

THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THE WEEK'S INDEPTH DISCUSSION COMING UP LATER IN THE NEWSCAST.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, A STATE CHARTER BANK LIKE BANC FIRST AND I AM ON THEIR BOARD HAS THE STATE BANKING REGULATOR AND FDIC.

YOU DO SHARE INTELLIGENCE AND IDEAS AND THE LIKE.

BUT THE IMPRESSION AFTER OKLAHOMA, AFTER PEN SQUARE OKLAHOMA'S MUCH MORE FOCUSED ON MAKE SURE OUR DEPOSITOR AND CUSTOMERS ARE SECURE.

>> WE DON'T SEEM TO HAVE THE PROBLEMS THAT SOME OF THE BANKS ON THE WEST COAST HAVE HAD.

WE DON'T HAVE THE CONCENTRATIONS THAT IT APPEARS THAT THESE BANKS HAVE HAD.

SO I THINK THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> THE FED, WHAT'S NICE IS THEY HAVE MULTIPLE POLICY TOOLS THEY CAN USE.

IN THIS CASE, THEY ARE PROVIDING LIQUID ITY TO THE MARKETS BECAUSE THAT IS A BIG CONCERN WITH THE BANK RUN IS THAT IT IS A SELF FULFILLING PROPHECY.

YOU SEE A BANK RUN AND IT SUCKS THE MONEY OUT OF THE SYSTEM.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION, COMING UP IN A MINUTE.

>> AFTER YEARS OF FRUSTRATION, THE WAIT LIST FOR DEVELOPMENT DISABILITY SERVICES FROM THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IS GETTING SHORTER.

THE WAIT LIST INCLUDES 5000 OKLAHOMANS WITH DISABILITIES.

LAST YEAR THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR STITT APPROVED FLOO AND HALF MILLION DOLLARS TOWARD THE EFFORT.

THE 340 OKLAHOMANS WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE 13 YEAR WAIT LIST ARE NOW MORE THAN 100 ARE RECEIVING SERVICES WITH ANOTHER 33 APPROVED TO DO SO.

>> WE ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS.

WE ARE SERVING OVER 100 PEOPLE THAT ARE RECEIVING SERVICES.

THAT IS 31% OF THE COHORT.

THERE IS A 6- 9 MONTH TO PROCESS THEM OFF OF THE WAIT LIST TO THE SERVICES.

IT CAN MOVE ALONG QUICKLY EVEN SHORT AS A FEW WEEKS OF DOCUMENTATION IS COMPLETE.

OUR GOAL IS TO GET AS MANY FAMILIES ON SERVICES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

SO WE ARE NOT WAITING.

WE ARE RUNNING PARALLEL TRACKS.

>> OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY LOCATING SOME OF THE FAMILIES ON THE LIST AND BELIEVE IT COULD TAKE TWO YEARS TO CONNECT ALL OF THOSE NEEDING SERVICES WITH THE AVAILABLE PROGRAMS AS IF INFLATION WEREN'T BAD ENOUGH LOW INCOME OKLAHOMANS ARE DEALING WITH THE SUN SETS OF PANDEMIC RELIEF FRESHMAN THAT HELPED TO PAY FOR GROCERIES.

>> I SPOKE WITH REPORTER CATHERINE SWEENEY TO LEARN HOW THIS IS IMPACTING MORE THAN A HALF MILLION OKLAHOMANS.

>> HOW MANY OKLAHOMANS ARE RECEIVING SNAP BENEFIT AND WHAT IS THE ASSISTANCE THEY RECEIVE.

>> IT IS SNAP CALLED SUPMREMENT AT NUTRITION PROGRAM.

IT IS BRIDGING THE GAP FOR FAMILIES TO BUY FOOD.

IT IS FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

SEN HUNDRED THOUSAND OKLAHOMANS BENEFIT IN SOME WAY.

KIDS AND ADULTS.

THE AVERAGE FAMILY GETS $250 A MONTH AGAIN, TO HELP THEM MAKE END'S MEET.

SO WHEN THE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS BEGAN WHAT WERE THEY RECEIVING PRIOR TO THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> FOR SOME PEOPLE $100 A MONTH.

IF YOU HAD A BIG FAMILY AND FINANCIAL CHALLENGES IN THAT FAMILY, IT COULD BE A THOUSAND A MONTH WHICH OBVIOUSLY WOULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR THE FAMILIES.

>> THE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS ENDED ON MARCH 1ST.

NOW PEOPLE ARE FEELING THE EFFECTS OF THAT.

WITH INFLATION ESPECIALLY ON FOOD PRICES SKWIE HIGH.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM FOLKS?

>> LUCKILY, SOME PRICES HAVE COME DOWN-TO-EARTH.

EGGS ARE NOT EXORB APT BUT STILL ARE NOT CHEAP.

PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING INFLATION AS WELL.

EVEN IF THE PRICE HASN'T CHANGED THEY ARE MAULER PACKAGE AND YOU HAVE TO BUY MORE OF IT.

IT IS NOT A EASY TIME FOR ANYONE TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE ESPECIALLY LOW INCOME PEOPLE AND INFLATION AND CONCERNS ABOUT RECESSION GOING FORWARD.

>> I WOULD IMAGINE THAT IS GOING TO PUT AN ADDITIONAL STRAIN ON THE OKLAHOMA FOOD BANKS AS WELL.

>> THERE IS A CONCERN THAT THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

I TALKED TO AN ECONOMIST, HE SAID THE DEMAND ON FOOD BANKS AND THE PANDEMIC WOULD HAVE JUST BURIED THEM.

THIS GAVE THEM A BREAK.

BUT THE DEMAND IS GOING TO BE THERE.

NOT AS BAD IN THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC AND IN 2020, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING.

THEY ARE CONCERNED.

>> IN ADDITION TO THIS CHANGE AND ANY OTHER CHANGES TO THE SNAP PROGRAM MIGHT BE COMING DOWN THE PIKE.

IT IS THE EXTRA PAYMENTS THAT COME AT THE END OF THE MONTH TO HELP FAMENT FAMES OUT WITH THE LAST LITTLE BIT AT THE END.

THE AMOUNT THEY GET EVERY MONTH JUST NORMALLY HASN'T SHIFTED BUT COULD BE SHIFTING THIS YEAR.

CONGRESS IS SUPPOSED TO LOOK AT THE FARM BILL AROUND OCTOBER AND THEY COULD BE RAISING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY FAMILIES GET EVERY WEEK JUST IN THEIR REGULAR ALLOTMENT.

>> CATHERINE, THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PANDEMIC RELATED ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

BUT IT HAS BEEN PHASED OUT.

>> FOR YEARS, KIDS DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR SCHOOL LUNCHES.

I TALKED TO NUTRITION EXPERTS IN THE TULSA AREA THAT COULD BE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS.

IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE KIDS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT ADDS UP.

PANDEMIC AND MEDICAL RELIEF DRIED UP AND PEOPLE PAID FOR TEST AND USE INSURANCE FOR TEST.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING TOWARD HAVING PEOPLE PAY FOR THEIR OWN COVID SHOTS.

THERE IS A LOT OF RELIEF THAT IS DRYING UP AS WE KIND OF MOVE OUT OF THIS ACUED PANDEMIC PHASE.

>> AGAIN, THAT INCLUDES THE PROGRAM THAT ENDED ON MARCH 1ST.

CATHERINE SWEENEY WITH THE STATE IMPACT OKLAHOMA.

GREAT REPORTING AS ALWAYS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> MARCH IS NATIONAL READING MONTH AND AS WITH BENCH MARKS, OUR STATE LAGS BEHIND IN READING PROFICIENCY.

BUT THERE ARE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS STEPPING UP.

TAELYR JACKSON EXPLAINS.

>> LAST YEAR TEST SCORES REVEALED A SIGNIFICANT DROP.

NOW THEY ARE OFFERING EXTRA SUPPORT TO HELP STUDENTS OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM.

[APPLAUSE] ON WEDNESDAY, PAY COMDONATED $50,000 TO THE OKLAHOMA CITY SCHOOL FOUNDATION.

THE MONEY WILL GO TO THE FOUNDATION OKC READS PROGRAM.

THE PRESIDENT MARY MALONE ACTUALLY SAID THANKS TO TA COM.

THEY ARE ABLE TO BUY THE BOOKS.

>> THE GIFT FROM PAY COMIS SO, SO BENEFICIAL TO US.

IT ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE TO BUILD THAT BOOK INVENTORY THAT HAS TO BE FILLED.

>> THE READ OKC INITIATIVE OFFERS PROGRAMS TO ENRICH SKILLS.

>> WE DO READING CHALLENGES TO PROMOTE READING IN SCHOOL BREAK AND A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM THAT PUTS CARING ADULTS WITH KIDS AND CALLED READING BUDDIES.

>> AND UNLIKE MOST MOBILE LIBRARIES.

STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO TAKE A BOOK OF THEIR CHOICE HOME TO KEEP.

>> WE HAVE GIVEN AWAY 20,000 BOOKS.

WE HAVE TO FILLING THAT INVENTORY.

>> AFTER LAST YEAR'S LOW READING SCORES, EDUCATORS AROUND THE STATE ARE WORKING TO IMPROVE LITERACY IN SCHOOLS.

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SAID AT HER SCHOOL THEY LAUNCH SPECIFIC READING TIME TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO PICK UP A BOOK AND PUT DOWN THE PHONE.

>> WE SPEND THURSDAY MORNING AND EVERYBODY PICKS FAVORITE BOOKS AND WE ALL READ TOGETHER.

>> I ENJOY READING BECAUSE I CAN CALM MYSELF DOWN.

>> AND CONSISTENCY IS EVERYTHING.

CONSISTENT FOCUS ON READING IS GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

OUR DISTRICT IS FOCUSED ON ALL OF THE RIGHT THINGS AND WE WILL START TO SEE READING SCORES GO UP.

>> MANY FACTORS LED TO THE DROP IN SCORES INCLUDING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC.

DURING THE PANDEMIC STUDENTS HAD TO RELY ON PARENTS TO HELP WITH SCHOOL WORK.

OKLAHOMA LITERACY COALITION DIRECTOR SAID STUDENTS STRUGGLED BECAUSE PARENTS HAD DIFFICULTY READING THEMSELVES.

>> IF YOU HAVE PARENTS WHO CAN'T READ, THEY CAN'T HELP WITH HOMEWORK OR THINGS THAT COME IN FROM SCHOOL.

IF THEY GET A NOTE FROM THE TEACHER, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS NECESSARILY.

>> MANY OKLAHOMANS ARE CONSIDERED ILLITERATE.

THERE IS A STATEWIDE LITACY EFFORT FOR ADULTS.

THEY NEED TO REACH OUT SO THEY CAN BETTER SUPPORT YOUR CHILD.

>> DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ALONE.

SO MANY PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE NEED HELP.

COMING TO A SITE THAT OFFERS ASSISTANCE IS A GREAT WAY TO BUILD COMMUNITY.

>> AS THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR APPROACHES.

SUMMER READING PROMS ARE PREPARING FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF SUMMER LEARNING.

>> WE FELT LIKE IF YOU CAN READ, YOU CAN COMPREEND.

MATH IS NOT NECESSARILY READING, BUT YOU NEED TO READ TO DO MATH.

READING IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS A FOUNDATION OF ONE'S LIFE.

>> LITERACY IS SO IMPORTANT.

YOU MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH THE CONCEPT OF A SUMMER SLIDE.

IF THEY DON'T READ IN THE SUMMER, THEY CAN STAND TO DROP 1 TO 2 READING LEVELS.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT THEY GET THE INSTRUCTION.

>> AND THE DIRECTOR ARE OF PROJECT TRANSFORMATION OKLAHOMA, AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE UNITED METH ODIST CHURCH.

>> IT'S MISSION IS TO ENGAGE COLLEGE AGE YOUNG ADULTS AND CHILDRENS AND CHURCHES AND PURPOSEFUL RELATIONSHIPS BY HOSTING SUMMER PROGRAMMING AND STUDENTS GET TO READ WITH A MENTOR FOR 30 MINUTES A DAY AND GET A HEALTHY LUNCH AND BREAKFAST.

>> MCCULLOUGH SAW FIRSTHAND THE DIFFERENCE EDUCATION CAN MAKE AND SERVED AS A YOUNG ADULT.

>> I SAW THE IMPACT OF WHAT IT MEANT TO HAVE YOUNG ADULTS TO LOOK AT YOU AND BELIEVE YOU CAN DO THAT.

THAT TRANSLATED TO MY EXPERIENCE AND PARTICIPATING AS A MEMBER.

IT WAS MY GOAL, NO MATTER WHERE THE CHILD WAS, WHEN THEY CAME TO MY SPACE, THEY FELT SAFE AND I BELIEVED IN THEM.

>> ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF OKLAHOMA CITY.

THEY FOCUS ON READING AND THE FIRST PART OF THE WEEK OR TWO.

FIRST TWO WEEKS WE DO A READING ARK SESSIONMENT, WE START AT PRE- K THREE.

WE START AT THREE YEARS OLD AND GO ALL THE WAY UP TO 9th GRADE.

WHEN STUDENTS RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM AFTER HYBRID LEARNING ENDED, THEY TAUGHT THE INFORMATION STUDENTS FORGOT.

>> WE ARE MAKING SURE THEY ARE NOT LOSING IF SOMEONE WAS NOT LEADING THEM AND DIRECTING THEM TO THE PATH THEY NEED TO GO.

>> BOTH PROGRAMS ARE ACCEPTS APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER LEARNING.

>> WE ARE LOOKING FOR PASSIONATE COLLEGE AGE ADULTS WHO WANT TO WORK WITH KIDS AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

VOLUNTEERS WHO READ WITH THE KIDS.

EVERYONE NEEDS HELP WITH THIS STYLE OF TEACHING AND INTRODUCING LITERACY TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

SO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN ARE FALLING BEHIP.

>> AS THE CAPITOL LAWMAKER ARE LOOKING TO PROMOTE CHILD HEAD LITERACY.

IT COULD CREATE THE EARLY CHILDHOOD LIT CRAZY TASK FORCE AND IT PASSED IN THE SENATE, RICH.

>> THANK YOU, TAELYR.

HERE IS JASON DOYLE WITH THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> A NEW REPORT ON HOME FLIPPING IN THE U.S. SHOWS THAT THE PRACTICE IS LESS PROFITABLE IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY REAL ESTATE MARKET.

ADAM SAID HOME FLIPPERS MADE AN AVERAGE OF 35.1PERCENT IN PROFIT MARGIN LAST YEAR.

IN 2021, IT WAS 63.6 PERCENT AND MAKING THE SECOND LARGEST DROP IN PROFITABILITY WITH METRO AREAS WITH A POPULATION OF 1 MILLION OR MORE.

IT IS STILL ABOVE THE NATIONWIDE AVERAGE PROFIT MARGIN OF 26.9 PERCENT IN 2022.

ATTOM'S REPORT INDICATES THAT HIGHER PRFRPT AND SUPPLY PRICES ARE DECREASING PROFITS AROUND THE COUNT REAR.

DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENT HERE IS IN OKLAHOMA IS CREATING JOBS INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES EMPLOY MANYEC OAKS IN MANUFACTURING.

THE LARGEST COMES FROM UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE AND CANADA.

THEY HAVE OPERATIONS IN OKLAHOMA.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED FIRST FEDELL ITY BANK IS WORKING TO CREATE'S NEW PROGRAM SO BANK CUSTOMERS CAN EARN MORE FROM SAVING DEPOSITS.

THE PLAN IS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE WITH A MONEY MARKET FUND OR FDIC INSURED CASH ACCOUNTS.

UNIVE MONEY WILL USE THIS PROGRAM TO OFFER AS A TEMPERATE.

IT WILL BE FIRSTED TO FIRST FIDELITY CUSTOMERS IN APRIL.

HONEYCOMM ACQUIRED PRINT ON DEMAND TECHNOLOGY FROM DROVIFIED LLC.

WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY.

HONEYCOMM PLANS TO ENHANCE OFFERINGS TO CLIENTS.

IT PRODUCE CUSTOM WELLNESS SUPPLEMENTS AND COSMETICS AND PET SUM ELEMENTS AND MORE.

IT WILL HELP HONEYCOMM TO REDUCE WASTE AND MINIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT BY MRUSING ONLY WHAT IS ORDERED BY CLIENTS.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED FLOGISTIX IS PROMOTING ALI SILVESTER.

SHE WILL BE OVER SEEING THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY CUSTOMERS.

SYLVESTER WAS THE PRODUCT MANAGE UNTIL THE PROMOTION.

THEY HELP CAPTURE CARBON EMISSIONS AND DETECT METHANE.

JASON DOYLE, OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

THE FDIC IS A GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT INSURES UP TO $250,000 IN THE EVENT OF BANK FAILURE.

FOR WEALTHY INVESTOR AND BIG COMPANIES, THAT IS CHUMP CHANGE.

AFTER HAVING NO BANK FAILURES IN TWO YEARS, TWO BANKS HAVE GONE UNDER IN 2023.

HOW SAFE IS YOUR MONEY DURING THE VOLATILE TIME?

THAT IS THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S INDEPTH DISCUSSION.

>>IN AM JOINED BY THREE GUESTS.

I WANT TO INTRODUCE GOVERNOR FRANK KEATING AND CEO OF AMERICAN BANKER'S ASSOCIATION.

WE HAVE PRISCILLA CUED OF FIRST BETH ANY BANK AND TRUST AND OKLAHOMA BANKER'S ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBER.

DR. TRAVIS ROACH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND CHAIR PERSON.

BEEN WITH US ON UCO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> I WANT TO GET INTO IT.

GOVERNOR KEATING, EVERY SINCE THE SHUT DOWN OF THE SILICONE VALLEY BANK AND THERE IS A GROWING WORRY THIS COULD HAPPEN IN OKLAHOMA.

IS THAT A REAL ITY OR FEAR?

>> BAD THINGS ALWAYS CAN HAPPEN.

BUT I THINK WE HAVE A VERY ACTIVE STATE BANKING OFFICE.

EVEN THOUGH PERHAPS ENTITTY DOESN'T OVERSEE OR REGULATE YOU, BUT FOR EXAMPLE, IN A STATE CHARTER BANK LIKE BANK FIRST AND I AM ON THEIR BOARD, THEY HAVE THE STATE BANKING REGULATOR AND FDPSHGS IC AND SO YOU SHARE INTELLIGENCE AND IDEAS AND THE LIKE.

BUT THE IMPRESSION I HAD AFTER PEN SQUARE IS THAT OKLAHOMA IS MUCH MORE FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE CUSTOMER AND DEPOSITORS ARE SECURE.

WHO WOULD IMAGINE SILICONE VALLEY BANK IN SILICONE VALLEY CENTERPIECE OF WEALTH IN AMERICA WOULD BE JEOPARDIZED AND IT WAS MIGHTILY JEOPARDIZED BECAUSE OF A NUMBER OF BAD THINGS THAT HAPPENED AS THE ABSENCE OF REGULATION AND BEHAVIOR.

THAT'S LIFE WHEN YOU DEAL WITH YOUR MONEY AND SOMEBODY ELS.

>> AND WE COME TO THE NEXT POINT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BANKS AND MOST OKLAHOMANS DON'T KNOW A LOT OF BANKS ARE NOT PUBLICLY TRADED.

HOW IS IT AFFECTING THE SMALLER COMMUNITY BANKS?

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

OKLAHOMA HAS A HANDFUL OF PUBLICLY TRADED BANKS.

SO MOST OF THE BANKS ARE PRIVATELY OWNED COMMUNITY BANKS.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE SEEING, EVERYBODY SEES THE HEADLINE NEWS AND ALL OF THAT, BUT OKLAHOMA BANKS ARE VERY STRONG AND WELL CAPITALIZED.

THEY ARE VERY CONSERVATIVELY RUN.

SO WE DON'T SEEM TO HAVE THE PROBLEMS THAT SOME OF THE BANKS ON THE WEST COAST HAVE HAD.

WE DON'T HAVE THE CONCENTRATIONS THAT APPEARS THAT THE BANKS HAVE HAD.

AND SO I THINK THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE AS FAR AS JUST A BUSINESS MODEL OF WHO OKLAHOMA BANKS ARE VERSUS THE SILICONE VALLEY AND THE OTHER BANKS THAT HAVE BEEN THE HEADLINE NEWS.

>> YEAH, I WAS READING A LOT OF THE START UPS IN OKLAHOMA ARE FUNDED DIFFERENTLY THAN THEY ARE IN THE WEST COAST.

IS THAT A FACTOR IN HOW THAT PLAYS?

>> I AM SURE IT DOES.

I DON'T WANT TO -- I AM NOT AN EXPERT ON WEST COAST BANKING.

BUT IN THE CASE OF SILICONE VALLEY, THESE BANKS HAD VENTURE CAPITAL EQUITY THAT BROUGHT THEM UP.

THESE EQUITY FUNDS WERE DEPOSITORS OF SILICONE VALLEY.

WE ARE TALKING DEPOSITORS THAT HAVE 8, $900 -- 800 TO $900 MILLION.

>> THAT IS A LARGE FIGURE.

>> THAT IS UNHEARD OF IN YOU KNOW, IN OUR STATE IN OUR SIZE BANKS.

SO, AS FAR AS VENTURE -- START UP BUSINESSES.

A THINK A LOT OF IT IS THROUGH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

SOME BANKING.

WE HAVE INCAN YOU BAITERS IN THE STATE THAT HELP ON SOME OF THOSE, BUT NOT THE SIZE AND DEGREE YOU SEE ON THE WEST COAST.

IT IS SILICONE VALLEY.

WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THE TECH INDUSTRY.

>> DR. ROACH, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF MONEY PUT IN ONE BANK.

YOU HAD BROUGHT UP WHEN WE WERE TALKING BEFORE THIS.

NBA PLAYER PUT HIS MONEY IN 55 DIFFERENT BANKS.

IS IT BAD INVESTMENT AND WHEN DO WE STOP BAILING OUT.

>> YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE BANKS.

IT IS BETTER FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT IF YOU HAVE A LARGE DEPOSIT TO SPREAD THAT OVER SEVERAL BANKS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BEFORE LAST WEEK.

THE LINE IN THE SAND WAS 250,000.

WE HAD DEPOSITS THAT WERE IN EXCESS OF THAT.

IN NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, A BANK IS OKAY WITH DEPOSITORS THAT ARE IN EXCESS BECAUSE THEY BALANCE THAT WITH SMALLER DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS AND THE PORPORTION OF THE ENTIRE CLIENT BASE IS NOT OVER 250,00 ARE.

SBC, THE CLIENTS WERE ABOVE THAT THRESHOLD.

WHAT THEY DID WITH THE MONEY IS WHAT CAUSED THEM TO GO DOWN.

MOST WILL TURN IT OUT TO A LOAN TO A BUSINESS OR HOME LOAN, THEY WERE PUTTING IT IN THE BOND MARKET AND SECURITIES, WELL ABOVE THE MEDIAN BANK AND SO IT WAS A BALANCING ACT BETWEEN ASSET AND LIABILITIES.

IN THE END OF THE DAY, MOST BANKS CAN STOMACH DOWN ECONOMIC TIMES AND HAVING FINANCIAL STRESS, BUT WHEN ALL OF THESE DEPOSITORS COME IN BECAUSE THEY FEAR IT WAS NOT INSURED, THAT IS CAUSING THE CONSTAGEN AFFECT.

>> I THINK THE COMMONAL ITY OF THE CUSTOMERS AND DIRECTORS SUGGESTED THAT EVERYBODY WAS MOVE NOTHING THE SAME DRENGZ AND THAT IS NOT HEALTHY.

THAT OCCURRED AND NO CHIEF RISK OFFICER FOR THE BANK FOR 12 MONTHS.

YOU WOULD THINK THAT SOMEBODY WOULD SEE BECAUSE OF THE INCREASED INTEREST RATES THAT THERE WOULD BE A POTENTIAL FOR A RUN.

A POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH IN VALUE.

APPARENTLY THAT DID NOT DAWN ON PEOPLE LARGELY BECAUSE NO ONE WAS WATCHING THE WATCHMAN.

>> IF YOU ARE A ECONOMIC'S MAJOR YOU LEARN THIS IN INTEREST RATE RISK AND WHAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE DOES WHEN THEY TIGHTEN MONETARY POLICY.

INTEREST RATES WILL INCREASE.

THIS WAS FORECASTABLE AS ANYONE COULD THINK.

YOU WOULD EXPECT THE BANK EXECUTIVES WOULD SEE THAT COMING.

ONE OTHER THING TO ADD TO THIS.

WE REPEALED MOST OF THE DOTS, THAT REGULATED BANKS ESPECIALLY OF THE SDB SIZE.

THEY USED TO UNDERGO STRESS TEST.

THEY SAY IT IS TOO BURDENSOME OF A REGULATION TO COME UP WITH.

I AM NOT HERE TO SAY WE ARE THEIR STRESS TEST.

THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS.

HOW WILL YOU DEAL WITH THE RISING INTEREST RATE ENVIRONMENT.

THIS QUESTION WAS NOT INTERESTED BECAUSE IT WAS REVEALED.

>> 250 BHILION DOLLARS WHICH IS A VERY HIGH FIGURE, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING, I MAY BE WRONG.

I WAS NOT A REGULATOR.

BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THEY PERMITTED BECAUSE BASICALLY YOU WERE MUSCLED AND LIKE IF YOU ARE OVER ONE MONDAY'RE HUNDRED BILLION WE WILL LOOK AT YOU.

EVERYBODY WAS DIALLING AND WHEN IT COMES OUT OF SILICONE VALLEY IT IS WISE AND WONDERFUL AND SIMPLY WAS NOT THE CASE HERE.

SO, I WANT TO STAY WITH YOU, GOVERNOR ABOUT THIS.

IS IT AN ISSUE OF TOO FEW REGULATIONS OR TOO MANY.

YOU ARE SAYING THINGS WERE NOT PAID ATTENTION TO AND OVERLOOKED.

IS THAT REPEALED AND PUSHED BACK AGAINST THE BANKING INDUSTRY?

>> YOU KNOW, THE UNDERWRITING WHO KNOWS?

IF YOU ARE MAKING THE LOAN OR SIMILAR LOAN TO A WHOLE CLASS OF PEOPLE IN THE EXACT SAME BUSINESS, I WOULD BE WORRIED.

IT IS NICE TO HAVE DIVERSITY IN TERMS OF CUSTOMER AND DEPOSIT BASE.

THE JURY IS STILL OUT.

YOU WILL HAVE THE FDIC AND FEDERAL RESERVE AND POLITICAL PEOPLE HAVE ACADEMICS, LOOKING AT WHAT OCCURRED.

BUT I WOULD ASSUME ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WAS IT WAS A GO, GO CULTURE AND NOT DISSIMILAR, I HATE TO SAY TO THE CULTURE OF PEN SQUARE BANK THAT WE COULD NEVER FAIL OR LOSE AND WE DID BIG TIME.

>> I THINK YOU SHOULD ALSO DIFFERENTIATE WHEN YOU MENTION IS IT REGULATION, THAT THERE IS REGULATION, BUT IS IT ENFORCED?

AND THE QUESTION HAS BEEN FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN IS, IT DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ENFORCED MUCH IN THAT, IN THAT AREA.

I KNOW MY BANK WHEN WE ARE EXAMINED EVERY 18 MONTHS, THAT YOU KNOW, DIVERSITY ALWAYS COMES UP.

THEY WANT TO SEE THE REPORTS ON THAT.

THEY WANT TO SEE UNININSURED DEPOSITS.

ALL THAT IS REPORTED AND LOOKED AT.

SO, TO THE GOVERNOR'S POINT.

IT IS, IT IS INTERESTING THAT THEY LET THAT GO BY.

THE REGULATIONS IS THERE.

BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON, IT WAS NOT EXAMINED MUCH.

YOU KIND OF WONDER, IS IT THE MENTALITY OF THIS IS THE TECH INDUSTRY AND YOU KNOW, IT'S GO, GO.

I DON'T KNOW.

THAT WILL COME OUT.

>> YEAH, AND WITH TODAY MARCH 22ND DR. ROACH, MAYBE THE FED RAISING RATES TODAY.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THAT HAPPENS?

>> WE ARE BACK TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF NOT KNOWING WHAT THE FED WILL DO.

THEY SAY WHAT THEY DO WITH INTEREST RATES WITH FLASHING BRIGHT LIGHTS.

BUT WE USED TO WATCH, ALLEN GREEN SPAN USED TO SHOW UP AND JUDGE ON THE SIZE OF HIS BRIEFCASE HOW MUCH PAPER HE WAS BRINGING TO JUSTIFY THE RATE INCREASE.

WE TAPE ON WEDNESDAY AND THIS AIRS ON FRIDAY.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE INTEREST RATES.

I THINK BETTING IS A QUARTER POINT INCREASE WHICH IS THERE, YOU KNOW, TO HELP WITH THE INFLATION ISSUE THAT WE ARE FIGHTING OFF.

AND THE FED, WHAT IS NICE, THEY HAVE MULTIPLE POLICY TOO MANIES THEY CAN USE.

THEY ARE PROVIDING LIQUID ITY TO THE MARKETING.

THAT IS A CONCERN WITH A BANK RUN BECAUSE OF A SELF FULFILLING PROPHECY.

YOU SEE A BANK RUN AND YOU WORRY ABOUT YOUR OWN MONEY AND IT SUCKS THE MONEY OUT OF THE SYSTEM.

THE FED IS ACTIVE AND DOING A GOOD JOB OF PROVIDING LIQUID ITY TO TAMP THESE FEARS DOWN.

BUT THEY HAVE TO FIGHT OFF INFLATION.

I EXPECT INTEREST RATES TO BE RAISED BY A SMALL MARGIN TODAY.

I DON'T EXPECT THAT TO CHANGE ECONOMIC OUTLOOKS BY MUCH OVER THE MEDIAN TURN.

IT DOES RAISE INTEREST RATES A LITTLE BIT AND THAT CHANGES BORROWING AND LENDING.

THIS IS A GOAL TO BRING DOWN INFLATION.

WE ARE EIGHT MONTHS, AND THEY ARE SLOWLY GETTING THE JOB DONE.

THAT IS A GOOD ECONOMIC SIGNAL.

>> AND INFLATION CEILING ANTICIPATED.

YOU DON'T WANT TO GO HIGHER THAN TWO PERCENT.

WHERE ARE WE NOW.

5 OR 6 PERCENT.

THAT IS STILL A BUNCH.

>> SURE.

>> AND TO SAY, I AM GOING TO DO A QUARTER POINT SO YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM SERIOUS, I HAVE A BELT IN MY HAND AND SO BEHAVE.

MAYBE THAT WILL WORK, MAYBE IT WILL NOT WORK.

AND THE SENSITIVITY TO THE VOLATILE ITY OF MONEY IS STILL VERY MUCH OUT THERE AS A RESULT OF THE COLLAPSE OF THIS LARGE BANK.

I THINK THEY'LL TRY TO DO BOTH.

YOU KNOW ASSURE PEOPLE THAT WE ARE GOING TO PROTECT THEM AND ALSO STILL FOCUSING ON INFLATION AND EMPLOYMENT REPORTS.

>> AND I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT, AS FAR AS THE OKLAHOMA BANKS, WHERE DOES THIS STAND?

YOU ARE RIGHT, THE FED IS DOING A GOOD JOB OF LIQUID ITY AND TRYING TO KEEP RUNS.

FOR OKLAHOMANS.

YOU GO BACK TO FDIC INSURANCE.

WE SAY 250,000 PER DEPOSIT.

IT IS A CATEGORY.

THERE IS A LOT OF WAYS TO STRUCTURE FDIC INSURANCE TO HAVE A MILLION DOLLARS.

THERE IS A WEBSITE OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP YOU.

MOST BANKERS, ALL OF MY BANKERS KNOW HOW TO USE IT AND HELP OUR CUSTOMERS ALL OF THE TIME TO LEARN HOW TO STRUCTURE.

THERE IS PROGRAMS IN PLACE.

AND SO THAT OKLAHOMA BANKERS CAN HELP YOU KEEP YOUR MONEY INSURED WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT AM I GOING TO LOSE IT?

>> AND THE BULL HORN THEY ARE GOING TO BE SAFE AND BY THE WAY, IF YOU ARE WORRIED HERE ARE THE OTHER GREAT OPTIONS TO DO.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BEING INSURED.

WHO IS AND WHO ISN'T INSURED?

ANYONE CAN TAKE THE QUESTION.

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE INSURED IN THE BANK.

>> TALK TO YOUR BANKER.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE RELATIONSHIP ORIENTED BUSINESS.

AND SO, YOU TALK TO YOUR BANKER.

THEY WILL HELP YOU THROUGH THAT AND SHOW YOU THAT.

>> WHAT IS THE AVERAGE STATE IN THIS COUNTRY, CERTAINLY OKLAHOMA PAID A SLIDE DOWN FROM THAT FIGURE.

LIKE $200,000 OR SOMETHING.

YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE THAT IS $500,000.

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR ANYBODY ANYWHERE.

IT WAS STUNNING AND MAYBE MORE OF JP.

MORGAN CHASE AND BANK AMERICA HAVE CLIENTS OF THE NUMBERS LIKE SILICON.

THEY DUMP SEVEN FIGURES IN THE BANK.

THAT SURPRISED ME.

I NEVER HAVE SEEN THAT.

>> A LOT OF SHOCKING NEWS COMING OUT OF THE SITUATION.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS ALL OF THE TIME WE HAVE.

I THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE AND TIME TO BE PART OF THE PANEL.

A LOT GOING TO CHANGE AND WE'LL HAVE YOU BACK.

>> IT IS A MOVING TARGET.

>> AND WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE IN A FEW HOURS.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU GUYS AND YEAH, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GREAT PANEL.

THANK YOU, REESE.

>> WE HEAD TO NATIONAL VIEW TO CAMP PENTLE TON NORTH OF SAN DIEGO.

FROM KPBS FOR THE MARINE CORP. ADAPTIVE TRIALS HOSTED BY THE KOREA WOUNDED WARRIOR REGIMENT.

>> WHEELCHAIRS COLLIDING AND REVERBERATE ON CAMP PENTLE TON.

THEY ARE PLAYING WHEELCHAIR RUGBY.

IT IS ADAPTIVE SPORTS THAT ARE HELD IN THE BASE.

>> IT IS A ROUGH SPORT.

WHEELCHAIRS ARE BUILT TO TAKE THE BEATING.

IT IS A CONTACT SPORT.

>> MASTERN SERGEANT WHEEMS HIS CHAIR UP AND DOWN THE COURT.

THE TALL ATHLETIC MARINE WORKS IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

BUT TODAY HE PLAYS DEFENSE.

MANEUVERING THE CHAIR TO CUT OFF PLAYERS.

>> THEY ARE IMPACT HEAVY CHAIRS TO ENDURE THE CONTACT THEY ARE GETTING IN THE GAME.

THERE IS DEFENSIVE AND OFFENSIVE CHAIRS.

>> GUARDER LIVES WITH A DISABILITY.

ON PATROL IN AFGHANISTAN.

THE MARINE BESIDE HIM TIGGERED AN IAD.

HE LOST HIS LEFT EYE AND LEFT HIM LEGALLY BLIND.

MANY PEOPLE ENCOURAGED HIM TO LEAVE THE MARINES AND TAKE A MEDICAL RETIREMENT.

BUT NOT READY TO GIVE UP.

>> THE MARINE CORPS IT IS A TOUGH GO.

BUT DOING IT WITH LIMITED VISION AND HAVING TO BE VERY RELINT FOR OTHERS FOR AID DAY-TO-DAY MADE IT TOUGHER, BUT I WAS DETERMINED TO PROVE TO MYSELF AND EVERYBODY THAT DOUBTED ME THAT I COULD BE A MARINE.

>> HE COMPETED IN THE ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND RETURNING TO COMPETITION TAUGHT HIM ABOUT HIMSELF.

>> I USED TO BE A BASKETBALL.

I GAVE THAT UP.

THERE IS NOT ROOM FOR BASKETBALL WHEN THE DEPTH PERCEPTION AND VISION LOSS MADE THAT HARD TO PLAY.

SO WHEN I CAME TO THE TRIALS, I WAS INTRODUCED TO DISUS AND SHOT PUT AND SWIMMING AND THINGS I DIDN'T COMPETE BEFORE.

I EXCEL WOULD.

THERE ARE MANY THINGS I CAN DO AFTER THINKING TO MYSELF LIFE IS OVER.

ADAPTIVE SPORTS REALLY OPENED MY EYES AND SHOWED ME THERE ARE MANY THINGS I COULD DO.

>> THEY ARE NOT ONLY FROM THE COMPETITION, BUT COMPETITOR ARE VYING FOR GAMES AND THEY COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER AND FROM THERE, THEY WILL GO TO THE INVICTUS GAMES WHICH IS A GLOBAL SUCCESS FOR MANAGEMENTS AROUND THE WORLD.

DANIEL NORMAN PLAYS.

HE'S A MARINE VETERAN WHO COMPETED BEFORE AND TRYING TO GET BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR.

>> I DO POWER LIFTING AND ROWING AND TRACK.

SO I AM A SPRINTER, TOO.

>> NORMAN WAS INJURED IN JAPAN.

HIS FAVORITE TEAM SPORT IS WHEELCHAIR RUGBY AND FRIENDS OFF OF THE COURT BUT THEY GET SERIOUS.

>> WE ARE COMPETITIVE AND MARINES AND WANT TO WIN.

THEY ARE ALL MY FRIENDS AND I LOVE THEM.

BUT ON THE TEAM WE GO HARD.

>> WE GO DOWN OFFENSE WE ARE READY TO SCORE.

HE SAID HIS ATHLETIC GOALS DON'T END WITH INVICTTUS.

>> MY 20 YEAR MARK WILL BE HITTING IN OCTOBER AND I WILL BE RETIRING AFTER TWOENT YEARS AND THAT'S WHEN THE TRAINING IS GOING TO START AND HOPING TO GET TO PARIS FOR THE PARAOLYMPICS AND COMPETE AS A SHOT PUT THROWING AND HOPEFULLY DISUS AS WELL AND PARASURFING.

THAT'S THE GOAL.

>> HE WON GOAL IN SHOT PUT AND ARCHRY AND NORMAN POWER LIFTING AND WHEELCHAIR RUGBY.

THE WARRIOR GAMES ARE SCHEDULED TO BE IN THE NORTH ISLAND IN JUNE.

>> A GOOD BOWL OF CHILI FOR A GOOD CAUSE THIS WEEK IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

IT IS HELD FOR THE OKLAHOMA INSTITUTE FOR CHILD ADVOCACY.

ED HAVES & YOUTH PUTTING THE BEST RECIPES TO TEST.

THE EVENT HELPS RAISE AWARENESS AND ALLOWS THE PROGRAMS TO ENGAGE WITH LEGISLATORS ON POLICYS THAT AFFECT CHILDREN.

>> OKLAHOMA INSTITUTE FOR CHILD ADVOCACY TRIES TO GET YOUTH PROGRAMS TO COME TOGETHER FOR A DAY.

WE DECIDED TO HAVE A CHILI COOK OFF IN THE CAPITOL PARKING LOT SO LAWMAKER CAN COME OUT AND SAMPLE AND LEARN ABOUT THEM.

WE WERE PLEASED WE HAD 17 ENTRYS THIS YEAR.

WE HAD A COUPLE OF LAWMAKER ENTER.

SENATOR DOSSETT REPRESENTATIVE WALDRON AND REPRESENTATIVE CULVER ENTERED ONE.

>> OVER ALL WINNER WAS OKLAHOMA PRIMARY CARRY ASSOCIATION AND THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE WINNER WAS TRUE WIRELESS.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

TAELYR YAKS JACKS WILL VISIT THE CLASSROOM OF OKLAHOMA'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR TRACEY MANWELL, AT BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL.

WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK TO LOOK AT A RAINY NIGHT IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY THE ALWAYS SUNNY, BRANDON DOWNEY.

FOR ALL OF US HERE ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

I AM RICH LENZ.

STAY TUNED TO THE OETA.

♪♪ ♪♪